Patriotic Monster Cookies (Print Version)

Chewy, patriotic cookies packed with oats, peanut butter, chocolate chips and red, white, blue candies for party treats.

# What You Need:

→ Wet Ingredients

01 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
02 - 1 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1 cup packed light brown sugar
04 - 1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter
05 - 3 large eggs
06 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Dry Ingredients

07 - 4 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
08 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
09 - 2 teaspoons baking soda
10 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Add-Ins

11 - 1 1/2 cups red, white, and blue chocolate candies (such as M&M’s)
12 - 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
13 - 1 cup mini pretzels, lightly crushed (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, blend softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar with an electric mixer until mixture is light and fluffy.
03 - Beat in creamy peanut butter, followed by adding eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together the oats, all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt.
05 - Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined; do not overmix.
06 - Gently fold in the red, white, and blue chocolate candies, semisweet chocolate chips, and mini pretzels if using.
07 - Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, ensuring a two-inch gap between each portion.
08 - Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges are golden while the centers remain soft.
09 - Allow cookies to cool on baking sheets for five minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • You get big, chewy cookies that stay soft for days and are irresistibly snackable warm from the oven.
  • Add-ins are endlessly flexible—kids and adults both dive in for the vibrant M&Ms and chocolate bits.
02 -
  • One batch I left in a few minutes too long and they turned crunchy by the morning—set a timer!
  • Folding in the candies last keeps their colors bright and stops them from melting into streaks.
03 -
  • Underbake slightly if you want chewy cookies, then let them set before moving.
  • Press a few M&Ms on top right before baking—your cookies will look bakery-worthy.

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